High-speed chase ends in Mountain Home

A high-speed pursuit that began in Marion County Saturday evening ended in a crash on Bryant Street in Mountain Home and the arrest of a Sierra Vista, Arizona, man, according to Sgt. Silas Gibson of the Marion County Sheriff's Office.

A trooper with the Arkansas State Police was transporting a person he arrested shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday when he saw a sliver Chevrolet truck doing donuts in the parking lot of a business on U.S. Highway 62, just west of Flippin.

The trooper advised the MCSO of the incident and deputy Loye Hellums responded to the area. Hellums spotted the truck at the intersection of U.S. 62 and Marion County Road 7056.

Hellums attempted to stop the 32-year-old driver, Weston J. Robertson. Robertson punched it and the chase was on, screaming east on the highway.

Dispatchers notified Flippin, Cotter and Gassville, along with Baxter County and Mountain Home as the chase continued east. Robertson reportedly ran four stop lights during the chase and forced multiple cars off the road.

Deputies from the BCSO were able to lay down spike strips near the Sheid-Hopper Bypass in Mountain Home, puncturing two of the truck's tires.

With shredded tires only slowing him slightly, Robertson continued into town, turning right on Eighth Street, the truck fishtailing erratically as it shed rubber from the shredded tires.

The chase continued east until Robertson turned on Bryant Street, slamming into a curb. A patrol car nudged the truck fully onto the curb and the chase ended. Robertson was removed from the vehicle through the truck's window, placed on the ground and handcuffed.

Hellums, who originally tried to pull Robertson over, asked the man his name. Robertson, who allegedly had a strong odor of alcohol about his person reportedly responded with a curse phrase unsuitable for publication.

Robertson's attitude throughout the booking process was described as "uncooperative" and peppered with colorful language, according to the narrative of the incident.

The suspect was taken to the Marion County jail where he was booked on charges of felony fleeing, theft of a vehicle, driving while intoxicated, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, refusal to submit to a blood alcohol test and a multitude of traffic violations.

Robertson was held in lieu of a $26,190 bond and given a tentative court date of Aug. 27, according to electronic jail information.